Spirits, lunch, and a distillery tour in Kempton. I like how this Old Kempton Distillery experience bundles a guided visit with an included meal, so you’re not just standing around waiting for the tasting. You also get a four-spirit guided tasting plus an antipasto lunch with local Tasmanian produce, and that combination feels like real value for $210. One consideration: the bond store is currently closed for safety upgrades, so you won’t see everything connected to that part of the property.

You meet at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel at 11:00am, and the whole thing runs about 3 hours and loops back to the start. It’s a private setup, so your group gets the guide’s full attention, and you’ll use a mobile ticket on the day.

Key highlights to look forward to

• Four Old Kempton spirit tastings: guided and built into the tour time, not tacked on later
• Antipasto lunch with Tasmanian produce: paired with tea or coffee, plus a bottle of wine to share
• Dysart House grounds, stables, and the distillery story: a guided walkthrough of the property
• Cask Lounge time after lunch: more tastings if you want to keep exploring
• Private group experience: only your group participates, so questions feel easier

Old Kempton in Kempton: why this package works

Kempton is the kind of Tasmanian stop that rewards a slow pace. Instead of rushing through a label-and-photos tour, you get a guided look at the property and the way the distillery fits into its surroundings. The payoff is that your day includes both the head part (story and tasting) and the body part (a proper sit-down lunch).

I also like that the experience is structured around food and spirits, which makes it easy to relax. You’re not trying to plan your own meal after a tasting session, and you’re not stuck hunting for somewhere open in the middle of your tour time. The lunch and wine are part of the package rhythm, so the whole thing feels like a curated afternoon plan.

And while distillery tours can sometimes become a bit salesy, this one stays grounded in the property: Dysart House, the grounds, stables, and what’s happening with the bond store. That focus matters because it helps the tasting land better—you understand the place before you start sampling.

Meeting at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel (and what to expect timing-wise)

You’ll start at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, 26 Main St, Kempton TAS 7030. The scheduled start is 11:00am, and the experience runs for about 3 hours, ending back at the meeting point.

That timing is smart if you’re using Kempton as a half-day stop. A late morning start gives you a chance to eat something light before you arrive, and the lunch being included means you won’t need to figure out a place to eat in between tastings. Ending back where you start also keeps your logistics simple—no second car park, no extra ride needed.

This is also set up as a private tour/activity, which usually means your guide can slow down when you ask questions. If you’re the type who likes to know the how and why behind a tasting, that matters.

The guided property tour: Dysart House, grounds, stables, and the bond store situation

The heart of your morning is a fully guided tour of Dysart House and the surrounding areas. You’ll visit the grounds, stables, and the bond store area as part of the guided walk.

Here’s the key detail you should plan around: the bond store is currently closed for safety upgrades. That doesn’t mean the tour is a wash—it just means one specific part of the property isn’t accessible right now. If you’re coming specifically to see that section up close, adjust expectations and treat the rest of the tour as the main learning experience.

This guided walk is valuable because distillation isn’t only about the bottle. You’re learning about the property’s history and how the distillery operates within that space. When that context comes first, the tasting tends to make more sense, because you’re tasting with a mental picture in your head rather than just a list of notes.

Also, because this is a private group, it’s easier to ask practical questions like what equipment they use, how the process is managed day-to-day, or what parts of the operation changed over time. Even with the bond store closed, your guide will still have plenty to explain across the rest of the property.

Four-spirit tasting: how to make the most of it

After the guided property tour, you’ll do a guided tasting of 4 Old Kempton Distillery spirits. This is one of the best parts of the package because it’s timed into the experience instead of being a separate add-on you might feel rushed through.

In a good spirit tasting, you’re not just sipping—you’re learning how to notice differences. Pay attention to how the guide frames each spirit, especially if they talk about process or ingredients. That kind of guidance turns the tasting into something you’ll remember, not just something you’ll finish.

Taste actively:

• Smell first, then sip slowly.
• If you’re tasting more than one, take a breath between samples.
• Ask one or two questions during the tasting, especially if you want the distillation story tied to what you’re drinking.

This matters because a common letdown with tours like this is feeling like you missed the production context. Here, the property tour comes first, so you have a clearer story to hang the tasting on. And if you’re a buyer, the tasting is also the moment where it becomes easy to decide what you’d actually take home.

Lunch with Tasmanian produce and a bottle of wine for two

Then comes the part that makes the premium feel real: lunch. You’ll get an antipasto platter made with Tasmanian produce, along with tea or coffee. On top of that, you’ll share a bottle of Tasmanian wine.

This is a smart pairing because antipasto-style lunches tend to work well with spirits. Salty, savory bites and varied textures can make the flavors of what you’re drinking feel more distinct. And having wine included cuts down on your planning stress—no searching for a restaurant, no last-minute guesswork.

A practical note: since you’re also doing extra tastings after lunch, pacing helps. Plan to enjoy the wine with your meal, but don’t feel like you need to power through everything at once. If you leave feeling relaxed rather than rushed, the afternoon tastings will be more fun.

One small thing you might care about: the package clearly includes the bottle of wine, but whether you can finish it on-site versus take it with you may depend on how the venue handles it on the day. If you think you’ll want leftovers, it’s worth asking staff when you’re seated.

Cask Lounge tastings after lunch: optional fun, not extra work

After lunch, you can head to the Cask Lounge for more tastings. This is where the tour shifts from structured to optional exploration, and that’s a good thing.

The best way to think of Cask Lounge time is like a tasting bonus. You’re not forced into a longer, more rigid schedule, but you get the chance to go deeper if something caught your attention during the guided tasting.

If you’re someone who likes to compare styles, use this time to focus on one question: What do you prefer more of—spirit character, sweetness, warmth, or balance? The lounge setup makes it easier to refine your own palate rather than being locked into a single guided format.

Also, if you want to pick up a few souvenirs, keep an eye out. The experience notes you can take some souvenirs with you if you like, and the lounge area is typically the best place to do that kind of browsing without feeling rushed.

Premium value: what $210 for two really covers

At $210 for two, this isn’t a budget deal—and it shouldn’t be judged like one. The value comes from what’s bundled together: a guided property tour, four spirit tastings, and a lunch package that includes antipasto, tea or coffee, and a bottle of wine.

Break it down: you’re paying for a guided experience over about 3 hours, plus food and drink that you wouldn’t otherwise get included. Many self-guided distillery visits end up costing more once you add tastings and a proper lunch. Here, the meal is built in, which lowers the odds you’ll overpay somewhere nearby or run into timing issues.

It also matters that it’s private. Even with a shorter overall duration, private tours tend to help you ask questions and get more clarity than you might in a larger group. If you’re the type who cares about distillation basics, history, or how spirits are produced in practice, that guided attention is part of the value.

So who gets the best deal? People who want the tasting and lunch together, and who would otherwise spend time and money coordinating those parts separately.

Who should book this tour (and who should think twice)

This package is a great match if you:

• Want a guided distillery experience without having to plan your own lunch
• Like a structured tasting with help noticing differences
• Enjoy an included wine moment that keeps the day feeling like an occasion
• Prefer a private group format where questions are easier

It might be less ideal if your main goal is seeing every production area in perfect detail. The bond store is closed for safety upgrades, so you won’t get that specific view. Also, if you’re extremely picky about the guide being ultra-technical, consider arriving with a couple of focused questions so you can steer the conversation toward what you want.

And one more reality check: in any small-group tour, communication style can affect your experience. If the guide’s delivery is not what you were expecting, it’s okay to speak up early and ask how you’ll see the process. The tour runs long enough that a couple of early questions can make the rest of the tasting feel more satisfying.

Booking checklist: small things that keep the day smooth

You’ll receive confirmation after booking, and you’ll use a mobile ticket on the day. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, so it’s set up to be easy to join without a complicated fitness test.

Since the bond store is closed right now, I’d go in with a flexible mindset. Think of it as a guided property story plus tastings, not a full-on factory floor tour.

Finally: because lunch and wine are included, plan to stick around for the full rhythm of the afternoon. Don’t treat this like a quick stop between errands. It works best when you let the schedule unfold at a human pace.

Should you book the Premium Tour and Lunch Package for 2?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a well-packaged 3-hour distillery outing where the best parts are already handled: the guided look at Dysart House and the grounds, the four spirit tastings, and a real lunch with Tasmanian produce plus wine.

I’d hesitate only if bond store access is a must for your curiosity. Since it’s closed for safety upgrades, you’re going to be viewing the distillery story through other parts of the property.

If you like the idea of tasting four spirits with guidance, eating well without extra planning, and then having lounge tastings to continue at your own pace, this is a strong pick for a Kempton half-day.

FAQ

How long is the Old Kempton Distillery premium tour and lunch package?

It runs for about 3 hours (approx.) and ends back at the meeting point.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, 26 Main St, Kempton TAS 7030, Australia.

What’s included in the package for two?

The package includes a guided tour of the Dysart House property areas, a guided tasting of 4 spirits, an antipasto platter with Tasmanian produce, tea or coffee, and a bottle of wine.

Is there time for more tastings after lunch?

Yes. After lunch, you can visit the Cask Lounge for more tastings.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.